Switch stand and lock



I. R. DRUMMAN AND C. GLAD Y. SWITCH STAND AND LOCK. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.3, 1920.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

, 12 88 La 2% w UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JASPER ROY DRUMEAN AND CHARLES GLADY 0F ROSEMONT, WEST VIRGINIA.

- SWITCH STAND AND LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 3, 1920. Serial No. 407,948.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JASPER ROY DRUM- MAN and CHARLES GLADY, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Rosemont, in the county of Taylor and State of WVest Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch Stands and Locks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and efiicient switch stand and lock for use in connection with railroads as a means of adjusting and securing the switch tongue in its set positions and adapted for engagement when the switch operating arm reaches its terminal position without necessitating special manipulation by the operator or switchman, and also to provide a device for this purpose having an increased leverage in throwing the switch tongue as a means of insuring the positive movement thereof and of preventing the displacement of the switch tongue after it has been set and locked by the bending or spanning of the parts of the switch stand; and with these objects in view the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is shown in the drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch stand and locking means embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the switch stand proper.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the locking means employed in connection therewith.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the operating lever or handle.

The apparatus consists essentially of a rock shaft 10 mounted in suitable bearings 11 in a supporting frame 12 having a base 13 which is adapted to be spiked or bolted as at 14 to the ties or their substantial portion of the road bed construction and a target stem 15 arranged in a substantially vertical position and carrying a crank arm 16 for connection by a pitman or link 17 with the switch rail 18, said target stem being operatively connected with the shaft 10 by means of the intermeshing bevel gears 19 and 20. The stem 15 obviously is designed to carry either a target or a lantern or signal lamp as may be preferred and attached to one end of the operating shaft is the terminally weighted operating lever or handle 21 of which the weight 22 may be prolever or handle being provided at an intermediate point of its length with a socket '24 for engagement by the beveled extremity 25 of the latch bar 26 mounted in a suitable lock casing 27 disposed within the range of movement of the lever or handle 21 to the end that when the latter is thrown to its adjusted position in either direction the socket 2a will be entered by the latch terminal or nose 25 to secure the parts against displacement. The latch bar is yieldingly held in its engaged position by a sprlng 28 and may be retracted to release the operat1ng lever or handle 21 by means of a suitable key introduced into the casing 27 through the key hole or opening 29 and turned to engage the depending pin 30 of the latchbar.

When the operating lever or handle is thrown into either direction to change the adjustment of the switch tongue it is engaged and locked automatically by means of the corresponding latch and the release of the same for a further adjustment of the switch tongue can be accomplished only by the use of the proper key, but the use of a key is not necessary in looking the switch mechanism, and therefore the possibility of leaving the switch in an unlocked condition by reason of inadvertence or carelessness on thtlevlpart of the operator is eliminated.

oreover the positive connection of motion from the operating shaft 10 to the target shaft or stem and therefor to the crank arm 16 by reason of the intermeshing gears, serves to insure the positive movement of the switch tongue from one adjusted position to the other, or otherwise from its closed to its open position or the reverse, when the operating lever or handle is moved from one position to the other, and the possibility of the switch tongue being strained out of the position to which it has been adjusted by the yielding element of the switch. mechanism, as in the ordinary practice, is reduced to the minimum.

Having described the invention, we claim:

A switch mechanism having a target stem, operative connections between the same and a switch point, a rock shaft operatively connected with the stem, an operating handle connected with the rock shaft, a lock casing provided with a seat for the operating Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

handle and having a spring actuated latch engageable with a socket formed in the handle, the casing being formed with a key hole opening, and a pin depending from the 5 latch and disposed in the path of movement of a key when the latter is inserted through the said opening and rotated, whereby the latch is precluded from surreptitious 0!" unauthorized operation for the release of the handle. 10

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

JASPER ROY DRUMMAN. CHARLES GLADY. 

